arts and culture – Page 3

HIFF starts

October 10, 2008October 10, 2008 thethreeonenine1 Comment

Today was a pretty unique day in my newborn Kailua life. The LVHIFF officially started today and it was the first day that I spent a chunk of time with the staff. This morning I woke up late and made both Chuck and Sean late for the press conference. I was mortified when I woke up at 8:17. Chuck was picking me up at 8:30. Egad.

Eventually everyone arrived where they were supposed to and the press conference was really lovely. I’m glad I didn’t miss it. I saw Sarah there and had a great chance to chat with her and Anderson. Sean had told me earlier that Cliff Curtis was going to be at the press conference and I didn’t really make much of the fact that I didn’t know who he was talking about. As Sarah and I were chatting by the entrance he came in and I realized that I’m a total fan of his work. So that was really nice.

I ended up spending much of the day with Sarah. I had such great time, particularly because I’ve been missing my girlfriends back home. She took me to lunch at Nicos (my second time) and rather than ordering the special of the day I ordered what Sarah orderd: the Furikake ahi. It was deeelicious.

I’ve written about this before but Sarah is the Art Director for a really unique magazine out here called Smart. She described it as a Hawaiin Lucky but I find it to be much more than that. As a newcomer to Hawaii it’s so refreshing to find a publication that goes deeper than the rest—an inside perspective to local talent as well as fashion insider favorites. I picked up a copy at the hospitality suite and will definitely send away for a subscription.

The festival staff is so nice. I don’t really know how else to put it. I suppose it’s what everyone refers to as Aloha spirit. Even under stressful circumstances they’re friendly and unfazed by last minute obstacles or tight spots. I really respect what they’ve built.

Not much else is new. we had to burn the bunnies when Rebecca came over for dinner. She was an ideal first guest. I can’t think of better circumstances in which to sacrifice the heartbreaking cuteness of wax lagomorpha.

Burnished

September 17, 2008September 17, 2008 thethreeonenineLeave a comment

I rode the bus for the first time today. It wasn’t bad but it was also blech. I went downtown to attend my first HIFF staff meeting which was interesting and for the first 15-20 minutes kind of jarring. It’s been 2 months since I left my job at MOCA and alittle longer since my last staff meeting. There was a time that I would come home from a day at the office and think incredulously that there was the accute possibility that I might spend the rest of my waking life in an office and sitting in front of a computer. And as much as a part of me loves office culture, I felt sick when I couldn’t picture an alternative to my reality.

Despite my current feelings about grassroots offices I enjoyed the meeting today. HIFF in some ways is just like every Asian American staff I’ve worked with so far (in total 3). They’re young, full of energy, and dedicated to the cause. The meeting was pretty short but I got good sense of people’s roles. I met a friend of a friend who while being a coordinator for HIFF, also runs a fantastic publication called Smart Magazine. Nice people. I’m looking forward to getting to know them.

The down side is the travel. I got a ride into the office but then I took a bus from downtown to Kailu–the number 57. It went smoothly for awhile and then I probably should have transferred in Kailua. Instead I waited to see how close the 57 would take me. Turned out to be not so close. I had about a 30 minute walk from where the bus dropped me off.

Punch bowl

September 15, 2008 thethreeonenineLeave a comment

Went out to Wilder Ave yesterday for my first sit-in with Bamboo Ridge’s (bambooridge.com) event planning committee. The small press has been dedicated for 30 years to showcasing and publishing local Hawaiian literature including the work of wonderful writers like Lois Ann Yamanaka and my friend Wing Tek Lum. This coming December will be their first big birthday bash and fundraiser honoring over 30 of the unsung contributors and volunteers who have helped Bamboo Ridge thrive. The people that were there were so nice. I really enjoyed myself and I’m looking forward to helping them plan.

set photos from HIFF trailer shoot starring Jason Scott Lee and Kelly Hu

Tomorrow I’m attending the HIFF staff meeting. K is working and has to use the car so I’m going to try to take the bus for the first time (thebus.org). I’ve heard bad things about it. Like that it never comes when it’s meant to. And I have to take three different routes and it will take over an hour for a normally 20 minute car ride. Egad. We’ll see how it goes.

hiff_this_week_lores